Bridle strap for piano actions



Se t. 10, 1929. H. E. CHUTE BRIDLE STRAP FOR PIANO ACTIONS Filed March 21, 1927 m RM m E m ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFECEEL.

BRIDLE STRAP FOR PIANO ACTIONS.

-Application filed March 21, 1927.

My invention relates to bridle straps for piano actions, and it has for its purpose the provision of a bridle strap which is capable of being quickly and securely applied to a piano action without dismembering the latter, and which is sufficiently strong and durable to minimize breakage and successfully resist the usual effects of usage of such straps.

I will describe only one form of bridle strap embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view showing in side elevation part of a piano action having applied thereto one form of bridle strap embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line. 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of the clip embodied in the strap shown in the preceding views;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the tape embodied in the bridle strap.

Referring specifically to the drawings, my invention is applicable to any conventional piano action, and in Figure 1 I have illustrated and will refer to only those parts of the piano action necessary to a clear understanding of the use and advantages of my invention. As here shown, a hammer butt carries a back stop including a head 16 and a shank 17. Extending upwardly from a wippen 18 is a check 19, and below and at one side of the check is the usual bridle wire 20.

The bridle strap comprising my invention is made up of a tape designated generally at T and a clip designated generally at C. The tape consists of a single length of suitable fieXible material doubled upon itself as clearly illustrated in Figure 1, with the ends of the material secured to each other by cement or other suitable adhesive and reinforced by a strip 21 of somewhat heavier material which is cemented to the tape. Both the tape and the strip are punched to provide an opening 22 through which the Serial No. 177,092.

upper end of the bridle wire is adapted to be extended as shown in Figure 1. By associating the strip 21 with the tape this end of the tape is made relatively rigid and in effect produces a tab to facilitate the application of the tape to the clip C as well as to facilitate the extension of the tape through the guide opening 16 of the catcher head and its subsequent application to the bridle wire.

The pposite or looped end of the tape T is constructed to provide an enlargement or head which is rigid to prevent collapsing of the tape at this end and to thereby secure the ta e against displacement in one direction from the clip C following application thereto. To produce this enlargement or head a pin or peg 28 is cemented or otherwise secured in the looped end of the tape so as to extend transversely of the latter and by virtue of its ri idity to maintain the looped end extended transversely.

The clip C in the present instance comprises a single length of resilient metal bent to provide a transversely elongated eye 2% and a pair of oppositely curved arms 25, the free ends of which latter are spaced apart to permit the extension therebetween of the shank 17 in such manner that the arms are slightly expanded during insertion of the catcher shank so that when the shank is disposed between the arms they will return to their normal positions and thereby effectively grip the shank to prevent accidental removal of the clip.

To apply the bridle strap to the piano action, the tab 21 is first extended through the eye 2% of the clip and the tape pulled until its enlarged end abuts one end of the eye, as clearly illustrated in Figure 8, the pin or peg 23 functioning as a stop and preventing turther movement of the tape through the eye. With the tape thus applied, the clip C is new applied to the shank 17 in the manner previously described and pushed forwardly until it is disposed adjacent the head of the back-stop 16. By now extending the tab 21 through the guide opening 16 the tape can be brought forward and into engagement with the bridle wire 20, all as illustrated in Figure 1.

In this manner the tape is securely attached to the catcher to provide the necessary operative connection between the catcher and bridle wire in order to properly control the movement of the piano action, as will be understood. Vhen necessary, the clip can be readily removed from the catcher shank by exerting an outward pull upon the clip sufficient to expand the resilient arms 25 to allow the shank to pass from between the arms.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of bridle strap for piano actions embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, and within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bridle strap comprising a clip having an eye and resilient arms adapted to embrace a butt shank for securing the clip to the shank, and a tape extended through the eye and having an enlargement for securing the tape against withdrawal from the eye in one direction.

2. A bridle strap comprising a clip having a transversely elongated eye and resilient arms adapted to embrace a butt shank for securing the clip to the shank, and a tape extending through the eye and having a transversely disposed rigid member for securing the tape against withdrawal from the eye in one direction.

3. A bridle strap comprising a length of flexible material, and a clip connected to said material and comprising a length of resilient metal bent to provide an eye, and a pair of arms at right angles to the eye normally urged to a contracted position and movable to an expanded position to receive a butt shank therebetween.

4. A bridle strap comprising a clip having resilient means adapted to embrace a butt shank for securing the clip to the shank, and an eye, a tape looped upon itself at one end and extended through the eye, and a rigid member secured in the looped end for securing the tape against withdrawal from the eye.

5. A bridle strap comprising a length of tape, and a clip connected to the tape and having resilient means movable to an expanded position to receive a butt shank and normally urged to a contracted position to embrace and grip the shank, whereby displacement of the clip from the shank is prevented.

6. A bridle strap comprising a length of tape, and a clip connected to the tape and having a pair of resiliently connected arms movable to an expanded position to receive a butt shank therebetween, said arms nor mally urged to a contracted position so as to embrace and grip a butt shank received between the arms, whereby displacement of the clip from the shank is prevented.

7 A bridle strap comprising a clip having an eye and means by which the clip is adapted to be secured to a butt shank, and a tape extended through the eye and having means for preventing withdrawal of the tape from the eye.

HIRAM CHUTE. 

